Upholstery construction



NOV. 8, 1938, A, M BANK 2,135,555

UPHQLSTERY CONSTRUCTION Filed June 19. 1935 INVENTOR fig hart Bank AITT-ORNEY Patented Nov. 8, 1938 PATEN OFFICE UPHOLSTERY CONSTRUCTION I Albert M. Bank, Jersey City, N; J., assigno'r. to

Sylvia Bank, Jersey City, N. J.

Application June 19, 1935, Serial No; 21,295

21 Claims. (01. 155-1179) I This'invention relates to upholstery construc-- tion. It is particularly directed to a cushion-seat orback for chairs,sofas or the like upholstered furniture.

An object of this invention is to provide in upholstery construction of the character described wherein a one piece webbing is attached to the frame, highly improved means for resiliently supporting the webbing, including means for positioning the foundation springs on the webbing. 1 I w A further object of this invention is to provide upholstery construction of the character described having means for supporting the webbing and foundation springs including members attached directly to the upholstery frame and being resiliently supported by the frame.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a compact, rugged and durable upholstery construction ofthe character described, comprising comparatively few and simple parts, which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and withal practical and efficient to a high degree. a

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangementof parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

shown one of thevarious possible embodiments of this invention, g I

Fig. l is an elevational, cross-sectional view of a chair embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional View taken on line 2-2'of Fig; 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Fig, 1;

of the invention;

derside of the frame. I2 by tacks, nails or other fastening devices, is a one piece webbing I'I. Contacting the underside of the webbing I! are a plurality of substantially parallel elongated supporting members I8, running from rear to front, and preferably made somewhat flexible, or nonerigid and having apertured swaged end portions I9. attached directly to the lower edges of the front and rear walls, as by nails 20 or in any other suitable manner. For the purpose of illustration, three members I8 are shown in the drawing, it being understood, however, that any suitable number of .such members may be provided, depending .upon the width of the seat. Each of the members I8 is formed adjacent the ends thereof, with upwardly extending humped or looped portions 2I extending through openings in the webbing, each receiving a washer 22 contacting the underside of said webbing.

For the purpose hereinafter more fully explained, each member I8 is furthermore formed between the portions 2 I, with a plurality of pairs of spaced humped, looped or offset portions 23 likewise extending through openings in the webbing and receiving Washers '24 contacting the underside of the webbing.

Fixed to the front and rear walls I3 and I4 of the frame I2 and aligned with each member I8 is a pair of angle shaped brackets 26, each having a horizontal arm 2'! engaging the top of the frame wall, and a vertical arm 28 engaging the inner surface of said frame wall. The arms 21 and 28 In the accompanying drawing, in which is may be swaged or flattened and formed with openings receiving nails, screws or other fastening means for attaching the brackets 26 to the frame walls. interconnecting the arms 21 and 28 of each bracket 26 is a loop 30. Interconnecting each .humped portion 2| with the loop 30 of bracket 26 adjacent thereto, is a coil tension spring;3l having hooks at the ends thereof receiving said humped portion and loop.

Mounted on the webbing I'I, above each member IB, are a plurality of foundation springs 34 preferably of greater diameter at the ends and gradually decreasing in diameter towards the middle. The bottom convolution 35 of each foundation spring is threaded through a pair of humped portions 23 of member I8. In the drawing, there is shown for the purpose of illustration, three pairs of humped portions 23 on each supporting member I8 and three foundation springs located over each supporting member, and in engagement with the three pairs of humped portions 23 thereof, it being understood, however, that the members I8 may be provided with any suitable number of pairs of humped portions, and the seat may be provided with a corresponding number of foundation springs depending upon the width of the seat and the desired closeness of the foundation springs. The bottom convolution 35 of each spring 34 may be engaged with the humped portions 23 by first inserting the end of said convolution in one of the humped portions and rotating the spring until said end enters the other humped portion.

When the chair I0 is in use the second convolutions 35a, from the bottom, of the founda I tion springs 34, which are of less diameter than: the bottom convolutions, often strike the webbing as said springs are compressed. To prevent said convolutions from wearing out the webbing at the points of. contact, the members I8 are formed with pairs of spaced downwardly offset, humped or looped portions 23a disposed inwardly points of contactso that the webbing will not be pressed, at said points of contact, against said members.

Tov prevent the members l8 from becoming unfastened from the frame when weight is applied to the chair l0, there is attached to the inner surfaces of the front and rear walls .l3', M of said frame, a pair of anchoring members 25 aligned with each member [8. The members 25 each comprises a plate having an opening at the upper end receiving a nail, screw or other fastening device for. fixing said plate to the frame. Said members 25 have downwardly extending portions 25a formed" with vertical slots 25a through which the ends of said members pass. Said portions 25a contact the flattened or swaged ends 119 of said members l8 to aid in preventing the members 18 from'pulling away from the frame atthe anchored ends thereof.

The upper convolutions of the springs 34 may be tied together by the usual tie cords 36, said tie cords beingtied to the loops 30 at the front and rear of the frame, andatta ched to the side walls [5 of the frame in any suitable manner.

It will now be understood that the springs 3| provide a resilient support for the members [8. The weight on the spring 34 istaken upby said springs 3i to aid in preventing ripping'of the margin of the webbing away from the frame.

The chair back is.constructed in substantially the same manner as the seat, said back likewise being provided with a webbing I1, supporting members 18, foundation springs 34 and coil tension springs 3| interconnecting the members l8 with the forward edges of the frame. The supporting members l8 .for the webbing of the chair back are likewise provided with humped portions 23 receiving the rear convolutions of the springs 34 to prevent shifting of said springs. The humpedportions thus anchor the foundation springs and obviate the necessity for clips or other fastening members forthe bottom ends of the foundation springs.

The members l8 of the chair back may also be formed with offset portions 23a, to prevent grinding or wearing of the webbing at the points where the second convolutions of the'foundation springs contact the webbing. The ends of members I8 may pierce the webbing and be fastened to the inner surfaces of the top the chair back frame.

In Fig. 5there is shown a modified form of the invention. In 'saidfigure, the frame I20. is likewiseshown as provided with acne piece webbing i la attached at the margin thereof to the underandfbottom walls of side of the frame by tacks or any other suitable fastening means. Contacting the underside of the webbing Ila are a plurality of supporting members l8a, preferably made of round wire stock, and each having a forward end extending through the webbing and attached to the inner."

to the rear wall of the frame, but terminates shortthereof in a loop 42. Each member 18a is" formed with an upwardly extending humped portion 44 spaced from the loop 4| by a distance equal tothediameter of the bottom convolution of one of the foundation springs 45 mounted on the webbing,'as. will appear hereinafter. Each member [8a is furthermore formed. with a pluof offset portions 23 and directly beneath said 'f rality of pairs of spaced upwardly extending humped orlooped portions 46 extending through openings in the webbing. Washers 41 receiving 45 located at the front of the frame l2a have the lower convolution 48 thereof received within the loops4l and humped portions 44. Mounted on the webbing Ha and located above each member l8a, are a plurality of foundation springs having the lower convolutions thereof received within pairs of humped portions 46. Brackets 26 are attached to the upper edges of the front and rear walls of the frame. 'Inter'connecting'the loops 42 at the rear ends of the members I811 with the brackets 26 on the rear wall of the frame |2a are coil tension springs 50. The upper convolutions of the foundation springs 45 may be interconnected by tie cords 5| fastened likewise to the brackets 26 and side walls of the frame.

Members 18a may also be provided with downwardly offset portions 46a. toprevent wearing away of the webbing where thetsecond convolu-. tions from the bottom of the foundation springs contact the webbing. Said members I80. may be further anchored to the front wall of the frame by anchoring members or plates 54 aligned with said members and fixed to the under edges of said front walls. the adjacent ends of said members l8a as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing. 7

m It, will now be understood that the members I8a are attached directly to the frame only at the front.v The springs 45 located at thefront of Saidplates have slots receiving 7 the frame 120. are disposed closely adjacent to the front wall of the frame and are substantially greater in height, normally, than the. front wall of said frame, forming what is known in the art as. a springedge seat.

In the construction of Figs. '1 and 2, the foundation springs at the front of the seatare spaced from the front wall l3 of the frame and are substantially of the same height as said front wall forming what is known in the art as a hard edge seat. The invention may thus be embodied either in a soft edge or hard edge seat of a chair or sofa. It will be understood that the structure of Fig. 5, is shown for the purpose of illustration, only, as incorporated, into a chair seat,

vention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practicaluse.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention and as various changes mightbe made in the embodiments set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and :not in a limiting sense. Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In upholstery construction, a frame, a one piece webbing attached thereto, a member contacting-the underside of said webbing and attached at the ends thereof to said frame, and coil tension springs located above the webbing interconnecting intermediate portions of said member with portions of said frame above the webbing.

2. In upholstery construction, a frame, a one piece webbing attached thereto, a member contacting the underside of said webbing and attached at the ends thereof to said frame, coil tension springs interconnecting intermediate portions of said member with said frame, said members having pairsrof humped portions extending through said webbing, and 'a plurality of foundation springs on said webbing, aligned with each member, each spring "having an end convolution thereof threaded through a pair of humped portions.

3. In upholstery construction, a frame, webbing'attac'hed at its margin directly to said frame, a plurality of parallel elongated members contacting the undersideof said webbing, one end of each member being attached directly to said frame, resilient means disposed above the webbing connecting the other end of each member with said frame, each member having a plurality of intermediate integral offset portions extendi'ng thro'ugh said webbing, foundation springs on said webbing each having an end convolution thereof-engaging an offset portion. 7

4. In upholstery construction, a frame, a on piece webbing attached thereto, a member contactingthe underside of said webbing, meansfor connecting said member to said "frame, a plurality of foundation .springs on said webbing and directly over said member, said springs decreasing in diameter from both ends toward the center thereof, said member having pairs of portions offset away from said webbing at the points where the second convolutions from the bottom of said springs contact said webbing when the said springs are compressed, to prevent said second convolutions from pressing said webbing directly against said member.

- 5. In upholstery constructions. frame, a webbing attached at the margin thereof to said frame, a-plurality, of members contacting the underside of said webbing, means for connecting said members to said frame, said members having offset portions extending through said webbing, ,and foundationsprings on said webbing engaging said offset portions, said members having downwardly offset portions at the points where the second convolutions from the bottom of said foundation springs contact said webbing when said springs are compressed to prevent said second convolutions from pressing said webbing directly against said members.

6. In upholstery construction, a frame, a webbing attached at the margin thereof .to said frame, a plurality of members contacting the underside of said webbing, means for connecting said members to said frame, said members having offset portions extending through said webbing, foundation springs on said webbing engaging said offset portions, said members having downwardly offset portions at the points where the second convolutions from the bottom of said foundation springs contact said webbing when 1 said springsare compressed to prevent said second convolutions from pressing said webbing directly against said members, and means for anchoring said members to said frame, comprising anchor plates attached to said frame and receiving adjacent end portions of said members.

7. In upholstery construction, a frame, a onepiece webbing attached at the margin thereof directly thereto,'a member contacting the underside of said webbing and attached at the ends thereof directly to said frame, tension means interconnecting an intermediate portion of said member with an upper portion of said frame, said member having portions extending through said webbing, and a foundation spring on said webbing aligned with said member and having an end made of round wire stock disposed beneath and contacting said webbing and having the ends thereof attached directly to said frame, said member having a pair of integral offset portions passing through openings in said webbing, and a pair of coil tension springs having the upper ends thereof attached to said frame and the lower ends thereof engaging said offset portions.

9. In upholstery construction, a frame, webbing attached at its margin to said frame, a member made of round wire stock disposed beneath and contacting said webbing and having the ends thereof attached directly to said frame, said member having a pair of integral offset portions passing through openings in said webbing, a pair of coil tension springs having the upper ends thereof attached to said frame and the lower ends thereof engaging said offset portions, a plurality of foundation springs on said webbing and said member having offset portions extendtending through the Webbing and engaging the lowermost convolutions of said foundation springs.

10. In upholstery construction, a frame, a webbing attached at the margin thereof to said 5 frame, a plurality of coil foundation springs on said webbing, each having convolutions of gradually decreasing diameter, and an elongated member contacting the underside of the webbing and having an offset portion extending through the webbing, tension means connecting said'offset portion to said frame, said member having additional offset portions extending through the webbing and engaging the lowermost convolutions of said foundation springs.

11. In upholstery construction, a frame, a webbing attached at the margin thereof to said frame, a plurality of coil foundation springs on said webbing, each having convolutions of gradually decreasing diameter, and an elongated member contacting the underside of the webbing and having an offset portion extending through the webbing, tension means connecting said offset portion to said frame, said member having additional offset portions extending through the webbing and engaging the lowermost convolutions of said foundation springs, and said member furthermore having portions offset away from the webbing and located in such positions as to prevent portions of said foundation springs from pressing said webbing directly against saidmem 'ber.

" 12. In upholstery construction, a frame having upstanding walls, webbing securedat its margin directly to the frame, adjacent the lower edge of the latter, foundation springs on said webbing, a member secured to the underside of a wall of the frame and having a portion .extending inwardly to an opposite wall of said frame.

13. In upholstery construction, a frame, a webbing attached to the margin thereof directly to said frame, an elongated member contacting the underside of said webbing, means above the webbing connecting said member to said frame, for exerting an upward tension on said member, said member having offset portions extending through said webbing, and foundation springs on said webbing engaging said offset portions.

l4. In upholstery construction, a frame, a webbing attached to the margin thereof directly to said frame, an elongated member contacting the underside of saidwebbing, means above the Webbing connecting said member to said frame, for

exerting an upward tension on said member, said member having offset portions extending through said webbing, foundation springs on said webbing engaging said offset portions,'and washers receiving said offset portions and disposed between said webbing and member.

15. In upholstery construction, a frame, a one piece webbing attached at the .margin thereof directly tosaid frame, a plurality of members contacting the underside of said frame, and having end portions fixed to said frame, resilient means disposed above said webbing and interconnecting said members with said frame for pulling upwardly on said members, a plurality of foundation springs on said webbing, and means integrallyformed with said members for engaging the adjacent convolutions of said springs.

16. In upholstery construction, a frame having a top and bottom edge, a one piece webbing attached to the bottom edge of said frame, a member cont acting the underside of said webbing and having an end attached to the bottom edge of said frame, tension means connecting a portion of said member spaced from said end to the top edge of said frame, foundation springs on said webbing, and a member attached to said frame adjacent the bottom edge thereof and having an opening receiving said first named membertherethrough.

1'7. In upholstery construction, a frame, a one a piece textile fabric webbing attached at its margin directly to the underedges of said frame, a

member contacting the underside of said web-.

bing and attached at an end thereof directly to said frame, and flexible means located above the tion ofsaid frame. l I

said webbingandhaving anend attached directly to said frame, andv means located above the webbing interconnecting a pcrtionof said member spacedfromsaid frame with an'upper portion of said frame. a I r 19. In upholstery construction, a frame, a onepiece textile fabric webbing attached at its margin directly to the lower edge of said frame, an elongated member contacting the underside of said webbing attached at one end thereof directly to a-"wall of; said frame and extending at right angles .to said wall, the other end of said member being located at. a point spacedfrom the.

Walls ofsaid frame and-at an intermediate portion of; said webbing, and means for connecting saidother end of said member to an upper por- 20. Upholstery construction comprising a frame, a; yieldable webbing, secured along its marginal edges to said frame and normally disposed in a. single fiat plane, a supporting springsteel rod directly attached at its ends to opposite walls of the frame, said rod being normally disposed in a plane parallal to the webbing and located directly under and in contact with said iwebbing,psaid rod being longitudinally yieldable whereby therod will bow downwardly co-extensivelywith the webbing when weight is placed upon the latter and then return tonormal posi- I tion when relieved of said weight, and a foundation spring seated on the webbing directly above the rod whereby both the webbing and the rod support said spring, said rod being provided with apair of spaced eyes projecting upwardly through thewebbing for receiving the lower convolution of the spring. a r j a 21. Uph olstery construction :comprising the combination with a frame, and a yieldable webbing of vegetable fibre secured along its marginal edges to said' frame and normally disposed in a single flat plane, o f an attachment therefor comprising a one-piece supporting metallic rod directly attached at its ends to the lower edges of the opposite walls of the frame, said rod being normallydisposed in a plane parallel to the webbingand located Wholly and directly under and in contact with said webbing, said rod being longitudinally yieldable whereby the rod will bow downwardlyco-extensivelywith the webbing when" weight is placed upon the latter, and a supplement attaching means for the rod comprisinga' hanger secured to the'frame and having an eye extending below the webbing for receiving the rod I v p v I y ALBERT LIL-BANK. 

